how can we make Linux more accessible for a bigger public?

[O. Sinclair]

Bas Roufs wrote:
> Dear everybody
> 
> Recently I installed a dual boot system at a laptop of friends of me:
> Kubuntu 10.04 LTS next to Windows XP.  The friends in question are no
> computer experts, but also not totally computer illiterate. Moreover,
> they both have a beta background - biology, physics,  mathematics,
> etc. That's why, I thought the configuration I worked out for them
> would work for them. However, this was not the case.  One of the
> problems they mentioned was their difficulty to convert .odt files (OO
> Writer) into .doc (Microsoft Word 97-2000). In theory, they correctly
> acted: File > Save as > Microsoft Word 97 - 2000 - as I always do ever
> since I work with OpenOffice. But the difference between those 2
> friends on one hand and me on the other hand is apparently the way to
> deal with computer problems. In the case of conversion into .doc, I
> quickly managed to find out how to do it in such a way that it works.
> But this is apparently more difficult for those who do lack a certain
> "feeling" with computers. On the other hand: an ability to work with
> computers apparently does not automatically imply an ability to
> effectively clarify something to someone who has less feeling with
> computers. The basic problem is in fact, that the friends in question
> do not have the patience and creativity needed to solve the countless
> number of little problems which are still in Linux. Even though I
> cannot consider myself as an expert, I do manage to solve about 95% of
> such problems myself and about 4% via "Kubuntu users" and other Linux
> communities and 1% via other Linux users helping me directly. But
> still - not everything works "automatically" or "out of the box".
> That's why, I do not manage to convince those friends - they are going
> back now to Windows XP.
> 
> I am afraid many computer users are like those friends - if an OS does
> not quickly work "out of the box" at daily level, they will not be
> able and willing to experiment with it. That is probably one of the
> reasons still about 90%? of the computers world wide work with an
> inferior system like Windows. That's why, I propose to shift our
> priorities with respect to open source software development -
> technical renewal is good, but making Linux more accessible for less
> experienced users is better. The main question is now: how can we make
> Linux more accessible for a bigger public?
I sort of agree with you. However, the kind of users you are referring 
to would probably have headaches with Windows7 (not to mention Vista) 
and Office2007 as well. I have a number of said users who happily 
confuse Office (the software) with Windows (the OS) and who do not 
understand why they can not open files user of Office2007 send to them etc.

Having said that, when I configure a new Kubuntu computer I try to take 
into account the user in question. I set Openoffice to save in the MS 
Office formats automatically, I set up the menu, printers and shares etc 
and finally do my best to lock down the Plasma Desktop from too many 
changes (he, you should see what can be accomplished with widgets by 
those who have little or no idea what these are).

As I see it you can never throw an entirely new system at a user and 
think they are going to figure out by themselves - and going from XP to 
Kubuntu 10.04 is a BIG change.

I have no solution but it does involve training and patience. The 
attitude of the users play a big role, and here is the "flair" or 
"instinct" you talk about. Some figure things out and find that to be 
exciting, others hate when something has changed.

Sinclair